You might find some good deals and bulk rates at Costco, but not find the minimum $50 per year membership quite worth it. Buying a Costco Cash Card in any amount gives you a shot at the big-box savings.

The Costco Cash Card is simply Costco's gift card, which can be bought for a minimum of $10 and used by the holder to shop at Costco, whether you're a member or not. So if you can get someone to snag you a card, or buy one yourself before your savings-minded shopping trip, you can shop at Costco until your card runs down, as Jim from Bargaineering.com writes in a guest post at The Consumerist.

The big caveat, though, is that once your Costco card runs out, only an actual Costco member can refill it or buy another card (presumably checked against the credit card or driver's license). If you've got a lot of willing friends who shop at Costco, you're good to go. Otherwise, figure out how much toilet paper, boxed cereal, and other goods you can afford and stash away, and load up your Cash Card.

Update: Commenters and former Costco employees, both here and at the Consumerist post, note that Costco management has started nixing this gift card loophole. That said, the cards do seem to work at the discounted gas pumps, so you can use up any unfortunate leftover balances there.